Patents Assigned to Merck
  • Pigment with a metallic luster
    Patent number: 6997982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pigment with a metallic luster, comprising a plate-like non-metallic substrate having a thickness lower an 200 nm, which is entirely coated with a metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Pfaff, Stephanie Andes, Michael Uhlig
  • Use of ROR for receptors for screening substances useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis
    Patent number: 6998254
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is the use of the ROR receptors and/or of their response element or alternatively of a functional equivalent thereof for the screening of substances having antiatherosclerotic properties. The invention also relates to the methods of screening substances having antiatherosclerotic properties using the ROR receptors and/or their response elements. The invention also relates to the use of the methods of screening according to the present invention in order to characterize, justify and claim the mechanism of action of substances having antiatherosclerotic properties using the ROR receptors and/or their response elements as well as their effects on apo C-III.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: Eric Raspe, Yves Bonhomme
  • Benzodiazepine derivatives as inhibitors of gamma secretase
    Patent number: 6995155
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. The compounds inhibit the action of gamma secretase, and hence find use in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
    Inventors: Ian Churcher, Alan John Nadin, Andrew Pate Owens
  • Coordinate in vivo gene expression
    Patent number: 6995008
    Abstract: Nucleic acids, including DNA constructs and RNA transcripts, capable of inducing coordinate expression of two to three cistrons upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are bi- or tri-cistronic polynucleotides of this invention include those encoding and co-expressing HIV gene products, genes encoding antigens unrelated to HIV, and immunostimulatory gene products, including but not limited to GM-CSF, interleukins, interferon and members of the B7 family of proteins which act as T-cell costimulatory elements. The methods and polynucleotides of this invention are generally applicable to co-ordinate expression in vivo of any two or more genes in a single cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Liu, John W. Shiver, Helen C. Perry
  • Splice variant of head trauma induced cytoplasmatic calcium binding protein
    Patent number: 6995241
    Abstract: ANIC-BP-1B polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing ANIC-BP-1B polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patentgesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Dücker, Izaak den Daas
  • Method and agent for determining total water hardness
    Patent number: 6994973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dry chemical method and a test strip for determining calcium and magnesium in aqueous samples. Said test strip contains o-cresolphthalein complex (o-CPC; CAS Registry No. 2411-89-4) as a colour-causing reagent in a buffer system with a pH value of below 8.5. By using in particular an aqueous ethanolic imidazole buffer with a pH value of 6.75, conditions can be set up in such a way that the o-CPC has an identical molar sensitivity with respect to Ca and Mg. The total water hardness of aqueous samples can thus be easily determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Dieter Krenn, Dieter Tanzer
  • Process for preparing films of polymerized liquid crystal material having a first film of a polymerized liquid crystal material with uniform orientation and a second film of a polymerized liquid crystal material with uniform orientation directly on the first film
    Patent number: 6995825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing films and multilayers comprising polymerized liquid crystal material with uniform orientation, to films and multilayers obtained by said process and their use for optical and electrooptical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Donald Gordon Graham, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Reducing the immunogenicity of fusion proteins
    Publication number: 20060025573
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: MERCK Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen Gillies, Jeffrey Way, Anita Hamilton
  • Protein delivery system using human papillomavirus virus-like particles
    Patent number: 6991795
    Abstract: Human Papillomavirus virus like particles (VLPs) have been constructed so that they contain a modified L2 protein. The L2 protein has been minimized and is fused to a second protein or peptide. The fused protein is incorporated into the VLP and the VLP can deliver the protein to a cell. The modified VLPs can be used to increase the breadth of immune response in vaccine preparations or to deliver other proteins of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Lowe, Kathrin U. Jansen, Joseph G. Joyce, William L. McClements, James C. Cook, III, Jessica Ching-Yee Ling, Michael P. Neeper
  • Method for managing deselection of medicine
    Publication number: 20060020175
    Abstract: A method for managing the treatment regimen of a human patient using an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is provided. The method comprises providing to the patient an interactive therapy managing system for de-selecting himself from the treatment regimen. The interactive therapy managing system may comprise, for example, an in person contact, or an electronically enabled element, such as an automated voice response system, a text-messaging system, an email system, a touch-tone telephone menu system, and a website.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicants: McNeil-PPC, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Berry, Jerry Hansen, Robert Hasselman, Alexandra Langendorfer, Stephanie Levy
  • Interspinous vertebral implant
    Publication number: 20060015181
    Abstract: This interspinous vertebral implant comprises a body (11) which is intended to be inserted between two consecutive interspinous processes (3, 4), is compressible in the direction of the spine and is provided with means for anchoring it to at least one spinous process. The body (11) is formed by a single loop closed upon itself. The anchoring means are formed by two fixing lugs (12, 13) which are integral with the body (11), extend on either side of the spinous process in the area of which they are intended to anchor when the implant is in place, and are each traversed by a through-opening (14, 15) oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the general plane of said process, the through-openings being intended to receive fixing studs (23) to be crimped in the area of the process in question.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Biomet Merck France (50% interest)
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Elberg
  • Cyclohexyl sulphones
    Patent number: 6984663
    Abstract: Novel sulphones of formula I are disclosed: The compounds modulate the processing of amyloid precursor protein by gamma-secretase, and hence are useful in the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
    Inventors: Ian Churcher, Kevin Dinnell, Timothy Harrison, Sonia Kerrad, Alan John Nadin, Paul Joseph Oakley, Duncan Edward Shaw, Martin Richard Teall, Susannah Williams, Brian John Williams
  • Gamma-secretase inhibitors
    Patent number: 6984626
    Abstract: A class of compounds is disclosed which are diasteroisomers of a known class of protease inhibitors. The compound inhibit gamma-secretase, and find use in the treatment of and/or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Merck, Sharp & Dohme Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan John Nadin, Graeme Irvine Stevenson
  • Immunoconjugates
    Patent number: 6979726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new fusion proteins which consist of a tumor-associated targeting element preferentially a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof recognizing a molecule which is preferentially expressed on human tumor cells such as the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and a biologically active ligand such as a growth and/or differentiation factor. The resulting fusion protein may be used to deliver the biologically active ligand to a specific target cell or tissue. The new immunoconjugates can be used in tumor therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Ilka von Hoegen, Uwe Hofmann, Carlota-Silvia Jaggle, Wolfgang Strittmatter, Jörg Stadlmüller, Siegfried Matzku
  • Pharmaceutical composition containing and indolopyrrolocarbazole derivative
    Patent number: 6979676
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I dissolved in propylene glycol and water. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of Formula I dissolved in propylene glycol and a buffer that has a pH between about 3 and about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignees: Merck & Co., Inc., Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Sato, David T. Breslin, Shyam B. Karki
  • Blister package for pharmaceutical treatment card
    Patent number: 6978894
    Abstract: A blister package for a pharmaceutical treatment card suitable, the blister package having a plurality of individual blisters suitable for containing a pre-measured dosage of a pharmaceutical composition in the form of tablets, pills and capsules. In accordance with a pre-determined schedule of administration of the individually sealed blisters may be opened by a method of tearing, peeling and pushing. The blister card package can be characterized as a multiple layer laminate assembly having a plurality of transparent cavities containing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignees: Merck & Co., Inc., Sharp Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Mundt
  • Photostable liquid crystalline medium
    Publication number: 20050279968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photostable liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II and to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Atsutaka Manabe, Ulrich Heywang, Detlef Pauluth, Michael Heckmeier, Peer Kirsch, Elvira Montenegro
  • Method for producing indoles
    Patent number: 6977304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of indoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: MERCK Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Hanns Wurziger, Guido Pieper, Norbert Schwesinger
  • Pyrans as liquid crystals
    Patent number: 6974607
    Abstract: Tetrahydropyran derivatives having at least one ester group (—CO—O—) and at least one group —CN, —NCS, —F, —Cl, —OCHF2, —OCF3, —CF3, —OCHFCF3, —OCF2CHFCF3, SF5, or —OCF2CF3; a process for preparing said tetrahydropyran derivatives, and the use of said tetrahydropyran derivatives as a component in a liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Mark John Goulding, Warren Duffy, Kevin Adlem, Peer Kirsch, Alexander Hahn, Eike Poetsch, Werner Binder, Volker Meyer, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Michael Heckmeier, Georg Lüssem
  • Pigment preparation
    Patent number: 6972305
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-dusting homogeneous pigment preparation notable in that it comprises at least 40% by weight of one or more effect pigments, from 0.5 to 50% by weight of water and/or an organic solvent or solvent mixture and from 0.5 to 59.5% by weight of a styrene-modified polyacrylate resin having an acid number >90 mg KOH/g, and to its use to produce dry preparations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Griessmann, Gerhard Herget, Jochen Meyer, Thomas Rathschlag